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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day! The day everyone waits to hear what kind of weather we can expect for the next six weeks. According to legend, if the groundhog peeks out of its hole and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, then spring is right around the corner. We've had plenty of winter here in New England so a sign of spring would be a very welcome sight.

When I was teaching young children, Groundhog Day was always a day

that we looked forward to. The

anticipation would build as we predicted whether Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow or not. We would learn about the legend behind Groundhog Day, research groundhogs and find Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on the map. On the morning of February 2nd, the children would arrive in top hats to tell

me what Phil's forecast had been.

I am anxious to share my Groundhog Day books with Emmy, but this year I am really looking

forward to reading the book Brownie Groundhog and February Foxwith her. Susan Blackaby wrote the text to accompany Carmen Segovia's gorgeous illustrations. In this book a groundhog "shimmied up the passageway of her cozy den" to find not only her shadow "stretched across the frosted field," but also a hungry fox..."Hold still," he said. "I'm trying to eat you for

breakfast." I know that Emmy will relate to both the groundhog and the fox as they both don't like to wait whether it's for spring or the next meal just as Emmy doesn't like to wait for lots of things especially Mommy's attention. As the story unfolds, the groundhog successfully talks her way out of being eaten by distracting the fox until she shares her snack of cinnamon toast and cocoa. In the end the two are unlikely friends who look forward to seeing each other the next day.

It looks like tomorrow will be another snow day for Emmy and me. That makes four snow days this winter! These days are great for snuggling and baking so perhaps we'll bake up some yummy cupcakes and add toppings to create Groundhog Day Cupcakes - vanilla wafers for ears, M&M's for the eyes and nose, mini marshmallows for the teeth.

To add a little music to the occasion, Emmy and I will try out this catchy little tune.

Be sure to check out this website shortly after sunrise on Groundhog Day for Punxsutawney Phil's official forecast!